Simple Help for Your Overwhelmed Student

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”

― S?ren Kierkegaard

It is not uncommon for students to enter college with a firm grasp of their future, only to enter a world of independence, broad exposure… and a new sense of uncertainty.?New subjects, ideas and ideals can trigger unexpected turning points in the young person’s future aspirations.?A new world opens up for them. Opportunities and choices seem endless.?

This can make them feel vulnerable. It can be overwhelming. It will be stressful.?It is anxiety inducing. It is their first taste of freedom.?

Ultimately, this level of exposure is a good thing, even if it overwhelms the enthusiastic ?student.?As a parent, sometimes the best way to help is to bring them back to basics.?Here are some simple reminders you can share:

* Looking forward, remember that the key possessions are good health, a solid foundation (parents, home, intellect, and education), and options. Foundation and options are the two key ingredients for success. Exploring the different ways to use these elements is what is happening right now.

* What causes stress is the unknown. We tend to look into the future, then create and extrapolate scenarios that can appear to be very positive or very negative. This is common. The trick is to recognize when we begin to experience this thought trap, and then bring our thoughts back to the basics: foundation and options.?

* Shift your thinking to the present. Focus on what is in front of you NOW - not the distant future.?The decisions you make today will lead in a direction that shapes your future.

* Do not fret over scenarios that have not yet occurred.?Just as you address today’s challenges with the skills and experience you have, so too will you address future challenges – when they are right in front of you, with greater skills acquired through experience.

* Let it flow.?Like whitewater rafting, once you hit the rapids it is best not to try to grab onto a rock for stability. That is when the accidents happen.?Loosen your grip, and let things play out.

* The only way to know if you've made a good or bad decision is by making the decision.?Every decision will have pluses and minuses, and these will inform your next choice. ?Choose, then evaluate.?You can decide to stay the course or change direction.?This is how we move forward.

* Remember to keep it fun!?Life is about learning, creation, and movement.?Experience is the movement that creates the life we live. ?Don’t hold yourself to some arbitrary media image to measure success. If you are enjoying the process and discovering your life, then you are already succeeding.

These simple reminders may help a young student but can just as easily apply to adults deep into their career. ?Seasoned professionals experiencing a career change – sometimes unintentionally, can get sucked into the same vortex of an overwhelmed mindset. But as Kierkegaard wrote, we are experiencing a period of freedom.?When that happens, it is good to pause, refresh ourselves on what matters most, and how it fits into our total lives.

If this has been helpful, then feel free to share.?